The Head of the Indonesian Agricultural Quarantine Agency, Sahat Manaor Panggabean, stated that the government continues to promote the downstream of edible bird’s nest (EBN) exports as part of a broader industrialization strategy.
This initiative aims to increase added value and improve community welfare.
He delivered this message during the National Workshop on the “Prospects of Cultivation and Downstreaming of Edible Bird’s Nests in Indonesia,” held on Saturday (Apr. 26) at the Auditorium of the UGM Faculty of Animal Science.
According to Panggabean, downstream processing should not stop at the initial stage. Still, it should serve as a gateway to comprehensive industrialization.
These projects are also designed to engage fish farmers, plantation farmers, and surrounding communities, ensuring that the benefits are widely felt across various sectors.
“So far, most EBN exports have been destined for Hong Kong, followed by China and Vietnam,” he explained.
Currently, 49 EBN processing companies are registered to export to China. These export activities are estimated to generate employment for approximately 24,400 people, not including indirect workers.
Director General of Livestock and Animal Health Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, Agung Suganda, added that global demand for EBN remains high and largely unmet.
“More than 75 percent of the world’s EBN supply comes from Indonesia, presenting both an opportunity and a challenge,” he said.
Suganda noted that between 2020 and 2024, the average annual growth of EBN export volume reached 0.63 percent, while the export value grew by 4.24 percent.
However, a decline was recorded in 2024 in both volume and value, mainly due to a 12.7 percent drop in import demand from China.
In response, the government has implemented several strategic interventions to strengthen EBN downstream, including trade diplomacy with China, enhanced export regulations, the registration of bird’s nest houses, and the provision of regional tax incentives for exporters.
Ach Wahyuddin Husein, Chairman of the Indonesian Edible Bird’s Nest Farmers and Traders Association, observed that current EBN regulations remain less favorable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly those with limited capital.
He pointed out that under the Import Protocol MoU with China, only premium-grade EBN products are accepted.
“Out of a total production of 1,500 tons, only around 500 tons meet the standards for the Chinese market. This remains a shared challenge,” he said.
Dean of the UGM Faculty of Animal Science, Professor Budi Guntoro, affirmed UGM’s readiness to support the development and downstream of EBN.
He emphasized that in terms of facilities and human resources, the university is well-prepared to contribute to enhancing Indonesia’s EBN productivity and competitiveness.
“With strong downstream efforts, we hope to see more EBN derivative products not only exported but also utilized domestically,” Professor Guntoro concluded.
The event also featured the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the UGM Faculty of Animal Science and the Indonesian Edible Bird’s Nest Farmers and Traders Association.
Reporter: Satria / Faculty of Animal Science Public Relations
Author: Agung Nugroho
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Margiyono